Thousands gathered in Greece today, with an estimated 800,000 people participating in demonstrations across the country, in what is being described as the largest protests since the end of the military dictatorship in 1974. The protests were sparked by the train crash that occurred two years ago, which was attributed to the neoliberal austerity policies and the lack of accountability from the government.
On February 28, 2023, a passenger train collided with a freight train, resulting in the deaths of 57 people, mostly students, who were on their way back from a Carnival celebration. The investigation found that the passenger train had been delayed by an hour at a station due to a power outage and when it finally departed, the signals were mistakenly set, causing the trains to collide. The investigation also revealed that the signals had been previously reported as faulty, but the authorities had ignored the warnings.
The crash was the deadliest in Greece’s history and the investigation has been criticized for its slow pace and lack of transparency. The government has been accused of covering up the truth and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the crash, accusing 23 individuals, including 18 government officials, of negligence.
The protests, which were called by the railway workers’ union, have been met with violence in some cases, with police clashing with demonstrators in several cities. The government has been criticized for its handling of the crisis and the prime minister has been accused of downplaying the role of the government in the crash.
The protests have been seen as a sign of growing discontent with the government’s handling of the crisis and a call for greater accountability and transparency. The protests have also been seen as a sign of the growing divide between the government and the people, with many calling for the government to resign.